LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo & NBA World React After Russell Westbrook Announces Retirement

Russell Westbrook shook the basketball world after announcing his retirement. His decision came out of nowhere, especially since there were rumors of Westbrook potentially signing with the Houston Rockets this coming 2026-27 season. After 18 years of playing in the NBA, Russ is stepping away from the hardwood.

Westbrook is one of the most prominent point guards in NBA history. Though he never won a championship, he's still a beloved figure around the league. He's a one-time NBA MVP, a two-time scoring champion, and has notched nine All-Star selections in his career. Given his impact on the league, guys like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and other NBA figures gave Russ his flowers after he announced his retirement.

After playing alongside Westbrook for a couple of seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James had already established a bond that transcended any off-court rumors. Given their time as teammates and the mutual respect required to compete at that level, it was only natural for LeBron to reach out and show Russ some love.

"HELLUVA CAREER BRODIE!! HOF next!!" James wrote on Instagram.

Antetokounmpo then noted the impact of Westbrook's style of play. Russ was always known to be an explosive player. His tendency to consistently detonate on the rim at high speeds has always energized the crowd in attendance.

"Incredible career, brother. You made people around the world feel your presence and love for the game. There are not a lot of people who played harder than you. 🫡💯," Antetokounmpo wrote on Instagram.

Both players share a relentless, high-octane intensity that defines their games, making Giannis’s praise for the former MVP feel like a genuine acknowledgment between two warriors who understand the grind.

Another former Lakers teammate couldn't help but show his appreciation for Westbrook. Anthony Davis slid into Russ' comment section to congratulate him on an incredible 18-year career.

"My dawg!!!! Congrats on the entire journey champ! Legend forever! Yeah 5!!!" Davis wrote on Instagram.

Newly acquired San Antonio Spurs forward Tobias Harris also offered words of positivity in response to Westbrook's retirement announcement. While he acknowledged that Russ will forever be a legend, he wants to see him continue to inspire aspiring basketball players.

"Salute! Legend on & off the floor. Keep inspiring the youth. 🫡," Harris wrote on Instagram.

Milwaukee Bucks big man Myles Turner mentioned how Westbrook lived his career his way. Despite the criticism he's received throughout his career, Russ never paid attention to the negativity and continued to be himself.

"You Always Did It YOUR Way Salute king," Turner wrote on Instagram.

Westbrook is the first out of the original OKC Thunder trio, featuring Kevin Durant and James Harden, to retire.

NBA Legend Predicted Russell Westbrook's Retirement

While it was undoubtedly shocking to learn about Russell Westbrook's retirement, apparently, an NBA legend already saw this coming. Westbrook caught the basketball world by surprise. Before his announcement on Wednesday, there were no talks of him stepping away from the game anytime soon.

"Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end," Westbrook wrote on X. "You had to be there. And now it’s over."

NBA legend Carmelo Anthony already anticipated Westbrook's retirement. In an episode of his podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, Melo predicted that because of the way the league has been treating Russ during the offseason, he might step away from the game.

True enough, the former Sacramento Kings guard called it quits and hung up the laces.

"Whereas Russ, in that situation, he could say, ‘Man, f**k this game. I’m done with this. Y’all wanna carry it like that? I’m walking away from the game.’ We would take our hat off to Russ. We would feel bad about that, though, because we know why you’re walking away from the game," Anthony said.

Whatever the case may be, we'd like to thank Russell Westbrook for an entertaining 18-year career.